How Do I Get a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card?
Create a Patient Profile
The Pennsylvania medical marijuana program differs slightly from others because you must register online before receiving a doctor’s certification. You can access the PA Patient and Caregivers Registry online and complete a patient profile. This step involves providing information such as your home address and name.
Once you have completed this task, it’s all about finding a physician willing to provide a recommendation for MMJ. You can try to find one nearby or, alternatively, contact MMJCardOnline, better known as “the easy way.” It is important to remember that you must have a bona fide doctor-patient relationship with the physician. However, in Pennsylvania, this simply means the doctor must fully assess your medical history and current condition and perform a complete physical exam.
Schedule a Consultation
Please note that the Pennsylvania MMJ program only allows applicants to use doctors registered with the state’s Department of Health as “Medical Marijuana Approved Practitioners.” If your regular doctor isn’t registered, don’t worry! You can visit the DOH’s official website and find a list of physicians you can use. The providers we use also have a long list of approved practitioners ready and waiting for you to make a booking.
Once you schedule a consultation, ensure you send your medical history to the doctor performing the evaluation. During the appointment, which lasts 10-15 minutes, you must discuss your medical condition and outline why you believe MMJ will help. The physician may decide whether to approve you at the end of the consultation, although it could take up to 48 hours for them to confirm. With MMJCardOnline, you can complete the appointment online.
Apply for Pennsylvania MMJ Online
If the physician approves you, return to the Patient and Caregiver Registry to finish your application. At this point, you require a payment method (debit or credit card), a current digital photo, and an electronic copy of your photo ID. Ensure your home address is current and you have a state-issued ID card or driver’s license.
Visit a Dispensary
Once the state approves your application, it is time to visit one of PA’s numerous dispensaries. With a fairly generous purchasing limit and plenty of products, there should be something for everyone. Please note that it is illegal to use MMJ in a public place.
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How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania
- A Step-by-Step Guide
MMJ Card Online Service Benefits
- A quick decision regarding doctor approval
- Online consultations are available
- 24/7 customer support team
- Straightforward renewals
- Cast-iron money-back guarantee if you’re not approved
- Digital MMJ certifications
How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania – A Step-by-Step Guide
- Ensure you have a state-issued ID or driver’s license and an updated home address to prove you are a resident of Pennsylvania
- Create an account with the PA Patient and Caregivers Registry
- Schedule a consultation with a doctor that is registered with the DOH’s list of Medical Marijuana Approved Practitioners
- Gather your medical records and have them ready to send to the doctor performing the consultation
- Talk to the physician and explain why you believe medical marijuana could help you
- If you receive the doctor’s certification, log into the Patient and Caregiver Registry to complete your application
- Wait for the state to approve your application
- Once you’re approved, wait for the MMJ card to arrive in the mail
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions
Only individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card:
- Residents of PA
- Applicants aged 18+, although minors can apply if a parent or legal guardian acts as a caregiver
- Have one of the qualifying medical conditions we outline below
Patient Qualifying Conditions
There are over 20 medical conditions that could ensure eligibility for an MMJ card in Pennsylvania:
- Tourette syndrome
- ALS
- Autism
- Terminal illness
- Cancer (including remission therapy)
- Anxiety disorders
- Sickle cell anemia
- CNS damage
- Spasticity
- Crohn’s disease
- Intractable or chronic pain
- Epilepsy
- PTSD
- Glaucoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Opioid use disorder
- Huntingdon’s disease
- Neuropathies
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Intractable seizures
- MS
General Guidelines
Thus far, we have looked at the basics of getting a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card. However, there is plenty more relevant information which we include below.
Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in Pennsylvania
At one time, it was necessary to complete a standard renewal process. However, MMJ patients have not needed to renew their registration since July 2020. Nonetheless, you should note that the card is only valid for a year and patients must take certain steps to ensure it is updated.
Sixty days before the card expires, the state will send you an email. This is a signal for you to schedule another consultation with a doctor to receive another certification. Fortunately, it isn’t necessary to use the same physician as before; of course, you can rely on MMJCardOnline to help you.
After receiving your new certification, you can expect to receive an updated card in the mail. If you have changed address since last year, update this information on the patient portal. For the record, the renewal fee is $50, along with the cost of the doctor’s consultation. However, if you qualify for a fee reduction, the cost is halved to $25.
Caregiver Rules
As an MMJ patient in Pennsylvania, you can select a caregiver to purchase, possess and administer medical marijuana on your behalf. Having up to two caregivers is possible, and all minors are legally required to have a parent or legal guardian acting as a caregiver.
Incidentally, the state program has a separate caregiver profile from the patients. The caregiver can update their details and help up to five MMJ patients. You can only select someone to be a caregiver if they meet the following criteria:
- Aged 21+
- A resident of PA with proof of address and residency
- Complete a criminal background check
- Have no convictions for controlled substances offenses within the last five years
The caregiver process involves a fingerprint appointment that can delay their application for up to six weeks.
A Brief History of Cannabis in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana after Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3 into law in April 2016. At the time, there were fewer qualifying medical conditions than now, and patients were only allowed to access non-smokable forms of marijuana. Attempts to fully legalize the substance have failed, so residents can only access MMJ for now.
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules
According to state law, possessing any amount of marijuana without an MMJ card is a misdemeanor crime that could result in a 30-day prison term. You could receive the same sentence if found distributing weed for no remuneration.
If caught in possession of over 30 grams, it is a more serious misdemeanor, with a possible jail term of one year as the penalty. If you sell over 30 grams illegally, it is a felony crime, and you could receive a 5-year stint in prison if convicted. The same penalty applies for cultivating any number of marijuana plants.
Several PA municipalities have effectively decriminalized marijuana possession, but it is dangerous to assume that you’ll “get away with it.” In reality, applying for an MMJ card is best to get the legal protection it provides.
What Types of Cannabis Products Can I Purchase in PA?
The initial restriction on smoking marijuana flower remains in effect. Therefore, you can only buy the following products:
- Oils
- Liquids or tinctures
- Pills
- Topicals
While dry cannabis is available, you can only nebulize or vaporize it.
How Much Cannabis Can I Buy & Possess?
Pennsylvania doesn’t have a specific purchasing limit. Instead, you can buy a 90-day supply with your doctor deciding on the amount. The limit was increased from a 30-day supply in June 2021. It is essential to note that you can’t buy MMJ in the state until you have a seven-day supply of cannabis or less.
Also, your certification may outline certain restrictions on the method of cannabis consumption. Once again, this decision is made by your physician.
Where Can I LEGALLY Purchase MMJ in Pennsylvania?
Over 160 MMJ dispensaries are operating legally in PA. However, there are concerns over big companies dominating the market. Six brands are responsible for running more than half the dispensaries in the state.
Can I Take My MMJ to a Different State?
No. Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, so it is illegal to transport it across state lines. Furthermore, Pennsylvania does not have reciprocity with any other state. Consequently, if you have a PA MMJ card, it only enables you to buy medical marijuana within the state.
Is It Legal to Grow Marijuana in PA?
No. It is a felony to cultivate medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, even if you have a valid MMJ card.
FAQ About Getting an MMJ Card in Pennsylvania
Once the DOH approves your application, it can take up to 21 days for your card to arrive in the mail. Allow up to a week for the card to be printed from the day you pay the application fee and another two weeks for it to arrive at your address.
We will provide you with a full refund. However, we should point out that MMJCardOnline users have an extremely high success rate to date.
The application fee is $50, although you could benefit from a reduced fee of $25 if you qualify for one of a handful of government programs. A doctor’s consultation costs from $100 to over $200, but with MMJCardOnline, you benefit from a fixed cost with no surprise fees.
Yes, but a caregiver (typically a parent or legal guardian) must complete the application on their behalf. Caregivers, parents, legal guardians, and spouses of minors can possess and administer marijuana on behalf of the minor with a Safe Harbor Letter.